Garaki

Chapter 1: First Glimpse

It is hard for me to think about when I came into such a fascination for Quirks. I think I should really be asking why everyone else wasn't. I mean real life superpowers, from literal comic books! I can't be the only one that just wanted to know everything about them. So thinking back, it really isn't hard to understand why I was obsessed, but the when must have been when I was old enough to speak. My parents were very liberal in their views on quirks. Plenty people wanted nothing to do with them, that they would die out or simply not pass on to the next generation. Their mistake. I'm not quite sure why the entire world freaked out as much as they did. I was born during the First Meta War. Plenty of people with Quirks felt that they were being oppressed. Several independent revolutions in many nations later, the entire world was at war.

Plenty of opportunists born with fairly powerful quirks decided they wanted their own empires to rule, and took advantage of the turmoil. Hence why parts of Siberia are no longer part of Russia. Destro was that person in Japan. He considered himself a revolutionary, a liberator, someone that would destroy the government and society that had oppressed those with Meta-Abilities. Regardless of his intentions, his actions caused a lot of death. His revolution failed and because of his failure, the oppression worsened. His revolution had only served to spread his book around that was utterly trash, better to use as kindling for a fire.

What his revolution also caused was a destroyed Japan that needed to be rebuilt. My parents were very entrepreneurial and good businessmen. This served them well in an economy in which a large percentage of businesses had been literally torn to the ground. They managed to build a reasonable amount of wealth, enough wealth that allowed me to be very well educated. Like I said, they were very liberal at the time. Nowadays they wouldn't be seen as such, but they believed that people with Meta-Abilities were still human beings and should be treated as such. What a game changer that mindset was. They would hire the best tutors for me in every subject. They believed an education was how one becomes successful, how one gets ahead of the competition. I am forever grateful to them for their wisdom. Despite growing up in a post wartime environment, I really didn't receive much of the heat from the war. Another perk of my parents' very intelligent capitalization.

Thanks to their comprehension of Meta-Abilities, I too became very fascinated by them. How could fire shoot out of his hands? How did his body adapt to have gills? Why can she go without sleep? These types of questions permeated my mind on the daily. It was unfortunate for me that I had no friend who I could share these ponderings with, for no one my age thought that quirks were awesome. They were likely taught by their parents the exact opposite of what I had learned. And the only people that I could potentially talk to about these things, my parents, were frequently absent due to work. Despite this loneliness, I never abandoned this hobby of mine, it grew to even greater heights. I remember writing my first 'Meta-Ability Analysis Journal Vol 1', I was so young, yet so curious. I didn't think I had one myself, for which I was immensely saddened, but that still didn't detract from my intrigue. Due to the discrimination against people with Meta-Abilities, I never did get the chance to interview many and analyze their quirks for my small journal. I believe only after a year and a half did I manage to finish the single subject notebook.

Although my intellect and education worked wonders for me in school and my studies, my physical ability was particularly lacking. This I can now attribute as a side effect of my Quirk, but at the time it was a serious sore spot for me. I hated that my athletic ability was so far behind other kids, and any attempts I made to improve in the area of the body had proven to be impossible. My parents took me to a doctor for this, but because this was only a side effect of my Quirk and not the main function, they never made the connection. With this lack of activity, I made no friends through typical channels a child would. Despite the growing void that was my desire for human interaction and friendship, I carried on and kept to myself.

I studied the Quirks of famous warlords that had come to power during the first Quirk Boom. Back then I yearned for the opportunity to meet them, as violent and bloodthirsty some of them certainly were, I was simply too curious. I studied the likes of Fallout, the Ukrainian dictator who could absorb radiation to enhance his body and project it out in devastating attacks that wiped people from the earth. I also went into the abilities of Abominable Snowman, whose presence drains heat from his surroundings and cools the temperatures to freezing temperatures.

There were plenty of other superpowered criminals and cold blooded killers that existed in that time, but just as many that took justice into their own hands, the first vigilantes. As a young boy my personal favorite mystery vigilante was one called Cherry Blossom. Cherry Blossom was active for my entire childhood, no one knew his quirk for most of his career. He was effective at sneak attacks, and dismantled his foes quickly and quietly. Video evidence of his existence was sparse, but he never showcased his quirk in most of them. Most people in online forums believed it was a strength or agility enhancing ability, but I thought something was off. I figured out that everytime he was caught fighting someone, his opponent began to look drowsy and disoriented. It wasn't that he was super strong, even though he was, it was that his quirk made his opponent weaker. I proposed this theory online, and suddenly, the Cherry Blossom began to appear less and less. The last time he was seen on video was when the criminal he fought wore a gas mask and wielded a gun. The police showed up before Cherry Blossom bleed out. He managed to survive, though his name was never released, but he never was seen patrolling the streets again.

Soon the realization that I caused the near death of a person trying to do good dawned on me. I felt guilty that such an amazing vigilante was now lost to the world, never to be seen again. I never posted my findings on vigilantes, and even villains, online for fear of inadvertently causing deaths. My theories would remain unseen, and the little online community that I had become a part of was gone. I never stopped analyzing Quirks, but it did fall on the back burner as a hobby, though I never lost interest. I focused on my studies, I began to help my parents with their business, and I did my best to forget what I did to lead to the fall of Cherry Blossom.

As I went into my final years of schooling, I finally figured out something that would put me on my destiny. I had a Meta-Ability. The exhaust I carried daily was too suspicious for me, and with no record of similar family ailments, I looked into my own anatomy, and discovered the signs of a quirk. Finding out what it did was more tricky. I tested and toiled away under the sun, the moon, and every season of the year. My toil was endless and my obsession for an entire year, for I was desperate to find the reason why my body didn't respond the way I wanted and despite being a scientific man, I prayed for the answer. It soon came to me. The energy in my body was primarily used as a way to prolong my life, instead of going towards generating force with my muscles. This revelation elated me, and I no longer worried about the lack of athletic ability because this tradeoff was in my favor. I had all the time in the world! What couldn't I discover? That became my goal, to reach into the abyss of knowledge and to walk through not just unscathed, but with my mind opened to the endless possibilities of science and Quirks. Thus began the pursuit of knowledge that would seal my fate and swallow me whole.

Shigaraki is a freak of nature. That is what Wakaranai Saba decided from the day they met. The signs were clear from the beginning, though at the time Saba elected to ignore it because of the potential that his Meta-Ability had ensured him. He could see it in his eyes, the obsessive possessiveness that permeated them. When he looked into those scarlet eyes, he was greeted with a feeling of gentleness, but that was likely another ability of his. His real thoughts on the matter were unnerved and distrustful of the white haired man. He was a giant, who always wore custom tailored suits, and had a perfect set of pearly white teeth and a wide smile. Despite his nice features, he was anything but, and Saba thought it was a poorly disguised attempt of kindness.

However his feelings towards the man, he was indebted to him, and until he paid off his debts he was confined to his servitude. Shigaraki only was referred to as the Collector when on official business, but his employees and partners used only his family name. Saba had tried to do research into his name, but found nothing of relevance that was connected to the demon. Saba's job was to manage Shigaraki's financial accounts, though it was no easy task. The payment he had received was infinitely worth it however, and is why Saba could bear doing the work. Saba's new Meta-Ability is called Calculator. It makes doing math, performing Calculations, and making predictions infinitely easier. Saba was already an accountant before receiving the Ability, but such an ability will make any client very satisfied with his services. He planned to finish his service to Shigaraki and get the hell out of this city. As an accountant, he knew what he was getting up to by following the money and how he obtained it. Saba simply couldn't live in the same city as a crime lord, even if he was himself in his employ. He still has a couple years left on the contract he signed, but the day when he is done will be the sweetest day of his life.

Saba stretches from his chair, looks up at the clock on the wall nearest which reads 10:45, and decides now is the time to head home. He packs up his stuff and leisurely makes his way out of the office building, to his car parked on the side of the darkened street. He turns on the radio, and cranks the volume when he finds the station he usually listens to. As he leaves the area, he never notices as the black Sedan follows him all the way home.

Shigaraki being angry didn't describe the situation very well. Karō Chūi sighed as she looked at the walls of Saba's home. Chūi often handled many of Shigaraki's subordinates that handled unique aspects of his empire. Finances was one such under her jurisdiction. When Saba had not contacted her with his newest accounts summary the day he was supposed to, she knew something was off. Saba was a workaholic that never missed deadlines. Never. He would never leave work unless he finished what he was currently doing, making him a very efficient man to have employed. Though he openly didn't like working for Shigaraki, that never really bothered him as long as he was effective.

When she came to check on his apartment, she noticed the signs of a kidnapping. Immediately she called Shigaraki and told him that Saba had been taken. When he arrived, his normally very cold and calculating ruby eyes were smoldering with unbridled rage. His mere presence now exuded an aura of bubbling lava rather than his normally charismatic and calm persona.

"When did this happen?" His voice grumbled.

"Two days ago is when anybody last saw him. The security cameras on the place where he works also prove this. He left around 10:45 PM and entered his car. As he left, another car followed him. The cameras did not capture the license plate, and it was too dark to see the make of the model. He obviously made it home, though the cameras on the apartment only capture him arriving at his door. The cameras cut off as soon as he entered."

"Any leads?" Shigaraki breathes out.

"None so far." Chūi holds her breath, waiting to be reprimanded.

"Unfortunate." The giant of a man says rather calmly, in complete contrast to his mood only a minute ago.

"What should we do?" Chūi hesitantly asks him.

"What else is there to do? I go find this bastard that thinks he can mess with me." Shigaraki says with a glint in his scarlet eyes.

He then scans the room, moving his head rather robotically, likely using a quirk Chūi hasn't seen before. He stops as his eyes reach the kitchen counter. He then walks over to the counter and finds a knife. Blood was present on the knife, though only a very small amount. Chūi watches as Shigaraki takes a finger to the blood and his head snaps up as he groans.

"Sir? Are you alright?" Chūi asks as Shigaraki's head returns to its normal position. He turns around and smiles at her.

"It seems Saba wasn't as careless as I thought. Despite us meeting very few times, I showcased the Meta-Ability I just used when I met him and gave him his. It allows me to see the moment in time where the blood was drawn from the body. Thanks to it, I was able to see what Saba saw for a minute until he lost his blood." Shigaraki explained.

"And what did you see?" Chūi inquires.

"A lead to our kidnapper. A Cherry Blossom." Shigaraki smiles wickedly.

United States Mexico Border, Tijuana

Jim was very sure of himself. This time would be no different from his other targets, despite the notable increase in numbers he would be going up against. He had been tracking and hitting human smugglers that would do runs across the Border. Usually he would fight them when they crossed into America, though he wanted to hit them where it hurt. On their turf. His Spanish, while accented, was good so that it wouldn't be a problem fitting in with the rest of the American tourists that went across the border for whatever reason. Though he wasn't here for a trip. This was to prove himself, one final mission before he would start what he set out to do.

In the dead of night, he crept to the large garage space that smugglers ran their operation out of. His outfit was all black, and his face was covered in a similar black ski mask. He snuck from shadow to shadow, doing his best to keep out of sight. His footsteps were silent as well, though the gang wasn't exactly quiet so it would be more difficult for them to hear him anyways. His first objective was to take out a few one by one without anyone noticing, that way when they did inevitably notice him he wasn't fighting against fifteen men. The chilly air swept over him, and he noticed his first victim.

The boisterous man was obviously drunk, and was heading to the bathroom to relieve himself. The heavy steps kicked up dust, and it was likely he was more heavy than his appearance suggested. He likely had a quirk that gives him a greater muscle density than most, and therefore would be a scary fight if I was to attack him head on. It was fortunate that he decided to be the first one to separate himself from the group. As he came closer, Jim decided now was the time to act. He puts his hand out and picks the drunken man up off the ground using his Telekinesis. At the same time, he opened one of the empty cages that they would use to contain people they were smuggling and used one of the gags they would use to keep their victims silent. In the air, the drunken criminal understood that he was being attacked and went to scream for help. Unfortunately for him, Jim already thought of that and was blocking his airway, slowly choking him unconscious.

The smuggler kicked his feet uselessly, and clawed at his throat, trying his hardest to attack the invisible force that kept him from breathing. His feet slowed, his hands fell to his side, and his body went limp in the air. Upon seeing this, Jim unceremoniously locked the criminal in the cage of his own making, and gagged him in case he ever woke up. Jim then continues forward, towards the rafters where he can get an aerial view of the gang.

As he sneaks from above, he understands how the man became so hammered. They were all speaking of a recent big payday and were throwing a celebration. He grimaces, knowing this means that somehow they were able to slip by him somehow and that he failed someone and their family. His eyes blaze in a renewed vigor, determination flared up through him, the Harbinger of Justice will deliver them to their judgment.

He identifies the ones with Meta-Abilities, though most of them don't have any, and prepares to deal with them first. He pulls on them with Telekinesis and they go flying up to the ceiling, as the main trouble makers are taken out immediately, Jim descends from the rafters like an angel descending to battle. Though it is a party, the gang members still stay strapped, a very bad idea considering how well guns and alcohol go together, but they were hardened criminals so it must not have been too unusual. They fire upon him but to their surprise the bullets never connect with their target. The bullets stop in a meter radius of Jim and continue to float around him as he gets ready to pulverize them.

Seeing as bullets aren't working, one of the thugs rushes forward and attempts to go for a punch to the liver. As he gets close, he finds himself slammed onto the cold concrete and then repeatedly picked up and thrown around the room until the man feels his bones cracking and flesh bruising. He falls unconscious from his injuries promptly after, and Jim then moves onto the other men, who are frozen in fear.

"¡Mata a ese Cabrón!" The terrified leader screams out for his subordinates. However futile it was, the men resumed shooting their guns. The air was filled with rattling, with the smell of freshly fired guns, and unfortunately for the gang, their target remained uninjured. The bullets surrounding him fell to the floor, hundreds of small clangs hit the ground to make an eerie effect that shook the smugglers to their core. The vigilante in black turns to the leader of the gang, raises his arms and lifts the man in the air.

"My turn." Jim declares.

As Jim leaves the scene, winded from the whole ordeal, he could hear the whirring of police sirens filling the air. His job finished, he goes to return to his home, with one final mission in mind.

Garaki recounts his childhood up to High School, we then see glimpses of the beginnings of All for One's empire, and Jimmy has grown up quite a bit. If you couldn't tell, the different plotlines aren't all in the same time period, but they will end up converging at one point in the future. I'm sorry I am using OCs but frankly, we know so little about this time period there is little I can do. If you feel the need, it would be appreciated if you have criticisms or point out any mistakes I missed. Thank you.